نزول الوحي
The First Revelation
Ramadan (17th or 21st), 12 BH (610 CE)
Cave of Hira, Jabal an-Nur غار حراء – جبل النور
While in seclusion in the Cave of Hira during Ramadan, the Angel Jibril appeared to Muhammad ﷺ at the age of forty and commanded him to 'Read!' (Iqra'). The first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq were revealed. Muhammad ﷺ was deeply shaken by the experience and rushed home to Khadijah, trembling and saying 'Cover me! Cover me!' (Zammilooni).
Why this matters
This is the single most transformative moment in human history after creation itself — the beginning of the final revelation from Allah to mankind. The very first word revealed was 'Iqra' (Read/Recite), establishing that this religion would be built upon knowledge, learning, and the pursuit of truth.
Quran references
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
Surah Al-Alaq, 1-5
Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clinging clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not.
Hadith references
Sahih al-Bukhari, #3
Narrated by: Aisha
“The angel came to him and said: 'Read!' He replied: 'I cannot read.' The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Then he took hold of me and pressed me until I could bear it no more, then he released me and said: Read!' I said: 'I cannot read.' He pressed me a second time until I could bear it no more, then released me and said: 'Read!' I said: 'I cannot read.' He pressed me a third time, then released me and said: 'Read in the name of your Lord who created...'”